Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa: In Search of Alternative Strategies by Kenneth Omeje

Author:Kenneth Omeje [Omeje, Kenneth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781138492011
Google: 4XALtwEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 40830940
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2018-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

8

CONFLICT INTERVENTION, INSECURITY AND THE CHALLENGES OF PEACEBUILDING IN SOUTH SUDAN

Nicodemus Minde

Introduction

This chapter analyzes the convoluted trajectory of post-conflict peacebuilding and state-building in South Sudan. In particular, the analysis responds to two spates of internal conflict that occurred in post-independent South Sudan in December 2013 and in July 2016. The conflict that broke out in December 2013 was emblematic of the state fragility and internal schisms within the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The political conflict of December 2013 – coming a little over two years after the country gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 – was a culmination of the fallout between President Salva Kiir and his ex-Vice President Dr Riek Machar over the control of SPLM. This factor together with other interlocking issues such as disagreement over the general election that was scheduled for 2015, as well as ethno-military patronage, contributed to the violence that broke out in December 2013 (c.f. Githigaro 2016; De Waal 2014; Brosche & Hoglund 2016).

Despite the protracted regional and international conflict interventions, South Sudan continues to face intermittent rebel violence caused by either the disregard of ceasefire agreements or lack of political will in the peacebuilding process within the high-ranking echelon of government. Even after an agreement had been reached between the warring factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Government (SPLM-IG) led by President Salva Kiir and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–In Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by Riek Machar to form a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), the peace accord was not able to prevent a descent into another armed conflict in July 2016 reminiscent of the one that broke out in December 2013.

It is against this background that the chapter examines the resurgence of rebel insurrection in South Sudan, and the state of insecurity and the humanitarian disaster that resulted with the two episodes of armed conflict. The chapter in particular looks at the mediation efforts of the regional body Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), as well as the support of other actors such as the Troika countries of Norway, UK and the US in South Sudan between December 2013 and the signing of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) in August 2015. The IGAD peace process was frustrated by competing intra-SPLM rivalries which prolonged the mediation process in Addis Ababa. The chapter examines these intrigues with special focus on political elite predation in South Sudan and the interposing ethno-political rivalry between President Kiir and Riek Machar. The chapter argues that just like other postcolonial conflicts in Africa, the South Sudan conflict has been aggravated by elite rent seeking and the struggle for political and military control.

Further to that, the chapter explores the international efforts of containing the South Sudan conflict. Furthermore, given the overwhelming support from the Troika countries from the time preceding the independence to the mediation efforts, the chapter also explores if this is affecting the peace process in South Sudan. It is from this background that the chapter examines the regional influence in the South Sudan peace agenda.

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